Last time we talked about mattresses and sheets, now it’s on to pillows and the finishing touches.

For a queen-sized bed, use two pillows, covered first with pillow protectors (again, think easily laundered) then placed in matching pillow cases. A king bed will need two king-sized pillows, dressed as above, or three standard-sized pillows. Next, place the decorative shams followed by the accent pillows. This is where you will have fun choosing a palette of colors that bring you much joy and happiness. Place a coordinating throw at the end of the bed, for chilly nights; or if you live in a warm climate, for an added pop of color.

You now have an inviting and comfortable bed to welcome you at the end of the day. Studies show, a well-made bed, put together first thing in the morning, actually leads to a more productive day and a positive outlook. It is one of the first things you can cross off your list, resulting in a sense of well-being and success, which can create a domino effect for the rest of your day.

The National Sleep Foundation reports that 75 percent of people get a better night’s sleep when resting upon clean bedding. Consider laundering your sheets at least once per week in hot soapy water, and don’t forget to tumble dry. The body sheds skins cells at night, and excretes oils and perspiration, leaving these biological remains in a warm environment for roughly eight hours a night. With this in mind, it is nice to have three sets of sheets per bed: one to use, one to wash, and one to spare. Obviously this is a “most-desirable” scenario, and even starting out with one very nice sheet set, and another to rotate in, will still give you the benefit of fresh and clean.